Page 65 of Fated for Flames

Rafe chuckled at my words, the sound rumbling through his chest.

“Don’t worry, Evelyn,” he said reassuringly. “I won’t let anything happen to you. Just hold on tight.”

I nodded, trying to ignore the flutter of nerves in my stomach as we flew higher into the night sky. The moon cast a silvery glow over us, illuminating the world below like a mystical painting.

As we glided through the velvet darkness, I felt freedom, unlike anything I had ever experienced. The rush of wind against my skin, the thrill of being held aloft by powerful wings—it was both exhilarating and terrifying in equal measure.

Rafe’s steady presence, with his sweet apple-pie smell, was a source of comfort. His warmth seeped into my bones despite the chill in the air, and as I took in his stunning profile sharp against the night sky, I felt a surge of gratitude for his friendship—his and Lucien’s. I would have been lost without them.

As we soared through the night, I let go of my fears and worries and allowed myself to be fully present in the moment. The world below seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of us suspended in the vast expanse of the night sky. Peace settled over me, a rare moment of tranquility amid the chaos of my life.

Rafe’s wings beat rhythmically, carrying us higher and higher until we were surrounded by a sea of twinkling stars. I marveledat the beauty of the night, feeling as though I had been granted a glimpse into a realm reserved for the divine.

The wind whispered around us, carrying with it a sense of ancient wisdom and untold secrets. I closed my eyes and let the cool night air wash over me, relishing the sensation of weightlessness and freedom that being airborne brought.

As we glided through the night, Rafe’s grip on me never faltered, his touch both gentle and reassuring.

Rafe began his descent back toward the cottage. The ground rushed up to meet us with alarming speed, and I held my breath, trusting in Rafe’s skill as we landed gracefully on the balcony outside his study.

As he released me from his embrace, I found myself missing the warmth of his touch already. The night had been a whirlwind of emotions and sensations, leaving me both exhilarated and oddly restless.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“It was my pleasure, Evelyn,” Rafe replied, his voice a soothing melody in the stillness of the night. “I’m glad I could show you a piece of my world.”

I nodded, unable to suppress the beaming smile that spread across my face. The rush of flying through the night sky with an angel would forever be etched in my memory as one of the most magical moments of my life.

As we stood on the balcony, bathed in the silvery light of the moon, a comfortable silence settled between us.

“Thank you for trusting me,” Rafe said suddenly, his gaze searching mine with a sincerity that tugged at my heart.

Leaning in, he kissed me, ever so gently, then backed away with a shy smile.

I couldn’t help but feel a rush of warmth at the touch of Rafe’s lips against mine, a sweet tenderness that lingered even after he pulled away.

40

Evelyn

Iwoke up to the harsh bite of the early morning air. My skin was a landscape of goosebumps. I was naked, with nothing to ward against the chill. Confusion swirled in my mind like a storm, thoughts disjointed and disoriented.

Last night had been a vivid dream of laughter and warmth, of flying with Rafe and the taste of his sweet kiss.

But this morning, reality bit hard.

I attempted to sit up, only to find my movements restricted. Panic clawed at my insides as I realized I was bound, arms and legs parted wide on either side of a wooden beam. I was tied down on the platform of the outside amphitheater. The platform was now a stage for an audience that would soon arrive.

Frantically, I tried to summon my magic, calling upon it desperately. But there was nothing. The well inside me felt dry, unreachable. It was then I noticed the heavy weight around mywrists, cuffs designed to suppress magic use, similar to the ones they had put on me during those months of torture.

My breath hitched as panic bubbled within me.

How had this happened?

I remembered walking back to my dorm after saying goodbye to Lucien and Rafe. Lost in thought, basking in the glow of their company and the amazing flight with Rafe.

I should have been more vigilant. Now that only one-third of the magic was being siphoned by that damned book to fuel Lia, it was a clear sign that something was up. Retaliation from her was inevitable; she would have undoubtedly sensed the diminished magic and realized something was wrong. My display of power in the cafeteria, where I’d proved to be ten times more powerful than her, the supposed next matriarch—and her jealousy over Rafe—meant I’d known retaliation was coming. I just hadn’t expected her to act so soon.

My teeth chattered as another gust of wind swept over me, reminding me just how exposed I was. The assembly would start soon. The thought of the entire school finding me in this state twisted my stomach into knots. Although nudity was nothing to some supernaturals, like shifters, my position was a little more precarious. My legs were spread open. Clearly, my tormentors wanted to punctuate the rumors by tying me like this.

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